Spain

This document outlines how agents, distributors, and sales representatives are treated differently under Spanish law. It also describes exclusivity and non-competition provisions, choice of law, special tax considerations for businesses, and international conventions. It also provides links to several useful Spanish websites. Prepared by: DS Advocats. Opens in PDF. 

The Catalan Audiovisual Council (CAC) regulates the audiovisual communication sector in Catalonia, promotes legislation to protect the freedom of speech and freedom of the press, and issues annual reports to parliament and the Spanish government. The CAC website provides information about the Council, a portal of transparency, research, and news reports. This resource has some English translations but is mostly in Spanish and Catalan. 

Bank of Spain, also known as Banco de España, functions as the national central bank and supervisor for the Spanish banking system. Because of its affiliations with the European Systems of Central Banks, it also defines and implements the Eurosystem’s monetary policy, conducts currency exchange operations, promotes the sound working of payment systems, and issues legal tender banknotes. The site provides information about the bank's services and the Eurosystem, legislation, publications, and press releases. 

The Bolsa de Madrid, or Madrid Stock Exchange, is a market that trades a range of products and also serves as a meeting point for companies and investors. The Madrid Stock Exchange strives for the further development of the Spanish economy, a greater majority of productive investments, and an increase in overall wealth. The Bolsa de Madrid website lists markets and prices, companies, indices, shares, exchange-traded funds, warrants, and investment funds. The site also contains publications and statistics, as well as studies and reports. 

Catalonia Trade & Investment is a public agency that promotes Barcelona and Catalonia to potential foreign direct investors. The site provides information about the business environment of Catalonia as well as its sectors, investment in the region, innovation, and startups. 

The General Directorate of Insurance and Pensions is responsible for the oversight and regulation of the insurance and pension sectors of the Spanish Financial Services Industry. The site contains information on the sector and investment professionals and an area to file any regulatory concerns. 

The Invest in Spain web portal provides resources and information designed to increase foreign investment in Spain. This organization promotes the investment climate in Spain by identifying the potential needs of investors and suggesting appropriate measures to meet these needs. The site includes a guide to doing business in Spain, economic reports, publications, information about the country's sectors, and news reports. 

La Gaceta is a Spanish business newspaper published by the Madrid-based business group Negocios. The group publishes a magazine, Dinero, and owns the radio station Radio Intereconomía. The site is only available in Spanish.

As the official website of the Spanish government, the La Moncloa website provides information about the Spanish government, the President, and Spain, as well as press releases. 

The Spanish Agency for Medicine and Health Products (AEMPS) evaluates and authorizes medicines for human and veterinary use. AEMPS monitors the safety and efficacy of medicines, licenses and inspects pharmaceutical laboratories, and fights against illegal drugs and counterfeit health products. The website provides information about human medicines, veterinary medicines, medical devices, cosmetics and hygiene, and the medical industry. 

The official website of the Spanish Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation provides insights and analyses of various Spanish industries and information regarding the Spanish economy, digitalization and artificial intelligence, telecommunications and digital infrastructure, and communications. This resource is available in Spanish with very limited English translations.

The Ministry of Health, Social Services, and Equality in Spain regulates the healthcare industry by carrying out the government's policies on consumer health and assistance as well as protection against discrimination. It also manages the budget for Spain's various public health facilities. This resource provides information about the Ministry and its services, statistics, and publications. A limited English version is available. 

The National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC) is an independent public body that supervises and regulates several markets of Spain. The Parliament of Spain created the CNMC in 2013 by the integration of the National Competition Commission, National Energy Commission, Commission of Telecommunications Market, National Postal Sector Commission, and the State Council for Audiovisual and Railway Regulatory Committee And Airport. The site provides information about the CNMC, its areas of action, and services for consumers, as well as agreements and legislative decisions, reports, and press releases. A limited English version of the website is available. 

The National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) specializes in aerospace research and technology development in Spain. It provides technical and consulting services to other agencies and companies, and it serves as a technological center for the Ministry of Defense in Spain. The INTA website provides information about the agency's capacities and the various sectors it serves. A limited portion of the website is available in English.

The National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) is responsible for the oversight and regulation of the capital markets sector of the Spanish financial services industry. The site contains information on the markets, listed companies, and investment firms. This resource is available in Spanish with a limited English translation.

Spain Export and Investment (ICEX), also known as el Instituto Español de Comercio Exterior, works to help Spanish businesses increase their exports and facilitate an international presence. The website provides descriptions of ICEX's services, guides for new and habitual exporters, statistics, and information about investing in Spain. Site is only available in Spanish. 

The Canary Islands Statistics Institute, also known as El Instituto Canario de Estadística (ISTAC), is the central statistical system and official center for investigation on the Government of the Canary Islands. ISTAC is tasked with providing statistics on topics such as the environment, the economy, demographics, society, technology, and science. The ISTAC website also provides news reports, descriptions of its services, and synthesis statistics. This resource is only available in Spanish.

The National Statistics Institute (INE), also known as El Instituto Nacional de Estadística, is an internet-based statistical information storage system. The INE site contains statistics by industry, economic indicators, census reports, and publications.